Who am I to deny a Nonna?

I work in the fashion industry and I have this beautiful Nonna that comes in about once a month and buys a dress off me. She is in her late 70’s and is the happiest person. She is an inspiration this lady. She has a colostomy bag and has for five years, yet she never lets it get her down. She still has her spunk, she has her own individual style for clothes, loves life and always puts a smile on my face. She walks in the door yesterday.

“My bella Melissa. You got any new dresses?” With her Italian accent. I didn’t as all the ones in store were short, not her style and she needs the length as it lifts at the front to cover her bag. She gives me the Italian kisses and cuddles me. “Still so beautiful.” She ran her hands over my hair. Makes me miss my own Nonna.

“No, Rosa I don’t have. Well I do, but you won’t like them.”

“Show me, show me.” I did, and they weren’t like the traditional dresses she likes to wear.

“I have more dresses coming in this week. I will call you when they arrive.”

“Sure, Sure.” Then she spotted something. She went to purchase it and was 70 cents short. She only ever uses cash. I couldn’t have the till out by even that little amount, I couldn’t discount it and I couldn’t bare to see the disappointment on her face. “Just wait, Rosa.” I dashed out the back she’s talking in Italian and I did not understand what she was saying. I grabbed 70cents out of my wallet and put it in her hands. You would have thought I gave her the world. Who was I to deny a Nonna a beautiful sparkly scarf? She gets up every day, puts effort into how she looks. In the two years I have known her I haven’t heard her whine about anything. She keeps going and always in high spirits.

“La mia bella, Melissa.” She cries.

“Don’t cry, you’ll make me cry.”

“I’ll give you a dollar next week.” she says.

“No, don’t worry about it.”

She embraces me in a cuddle again. It doesn’t take much to make a persons day. Not only did she get to enjoy something new, it worked in my favour, too. She boosted my mood seeing her smile. Don’t forget sometimes it is the littlest of actions that people remember. Be nice to someone today as it gives the brain a serotonin boost.